Daily Time Capsule

January 18, 1983 - Jim Thorpe’s Olympic Medals Were Restored

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Pete

Pete

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On this day, January 18, 1983, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially restored Jim Thorpe’s Olympic gold medals for the pentathlon and decathlon, 70 years after they had been stripped from him. Thorpe, who had dominated the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, lost his medals when it was discovered that he had been paid $25 to play for a semi-professional baseball team, violating the strict amateurism rules of the time.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history, Thorpe’s achievements transcended sports, making him a symbol of perseverance and excellence. The restoration of his medals was a long-overdue acknowledgment of his remarkable accomplishments and the unfair treatment he endured during his lifetime.

Fun Fact: Jim Thorpe’s incredible versatility extended beyond track and field—he also excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, earning him the title of the "world’s greatest athlete."

Trivia Question: What year did Jim Thorpe compete in the Olympics, where he won his gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon?
 
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